Proverbs 6:25-28
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that attraction isn't just about looking, but about what happens in your heart and how you're "taken captive" by the subtle, alluring glances, like those enhanced by ancient eye-painting. It's a warning that even a seemingly small internal desire or a fleeting look can be the start of a dangerous snare.
This passage is part of a longer section where Solomon implores his son to heed his teachings and avoid the destructive path of immorality. The immediate context warns against the seductive allure of a "strange woman" (or an immoral woman), detailing her deceptive speech and cunning ways. Following these dire warnings, the text pivots to more specific instructions on resisting temptation, including this verse that addresses the internal and external snares of sexual temptation.
The verse warns against desiring beauty 'in your heart.' What does this really mean for our daily lives and thoughts?
This verse highlights that the real danger isn't just outward beauty, but the internal desire it sparks. Jesus himself echoes this in Matthew 5:28, saying that looking at a woman lustfully is already adultery in the heart. Proverbs isn't just about avoiding actions; it's about guarding the very thoughts and affections that lead to those actions. The battle for purity begins within. If we entertain unholy desires, we've already stumbled, even if no outward sin has occurred.
Why 'eyelashes'? It seems like such a small detail, but the Bible uses it to describe a powerful lure.
The mention of 'eyelashes' (or eyelids) points to the subtle, yet potent, ways temptation can be presented. In ancient cultures, women often enhanced their eyes with makeup, like kohl, to make them appear brighter, more alluring, and even 'languishing' (as noted in the commentaries). This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was about using physical appearance to 'ensnare' or 'captivate.' The verse warns us not to be caught by these subtle, seductive signals. It's a reminder that temptation often comes in attractive packages, using even small, seemingly innocent details to draw us in.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 6:25-28 is available in the Sola app.
Understand the original words
chamad · Hebrew Verb
A strong inner longing or craving. While desire itself is natural, the Bible warns against misplaced desires that compete with one's devotion to God and His wisdom.
zonah · Hebrew Noun
A person who engages in sexual activity for payment. Biblically, it is associated with immorality, lack of wisdom, and the degradation of the marriage covenant.
nephesh yeqarah · Hebrew Noun phrase
In Hebrew thought, 'life' (nephesh) often denotes the whole person, soul, or living being. 'Precious life' suggests the high value of a person’s integrity, spirit, and existence, which is endangered by adultery.
eshet ish · Hebrew Noun phrase
A woman who is under a covenantal marriage bond. Engaging with her is strictly forbidden by the seventh commandment and is treated as a grave sin against both the neighbor and God.
esh · Hebrew Noun
A natural element representing destruction, judgment, or intense passion. In wisdom literature, it serves as a metaphor for the inevitable, self-destructive consequences of sin.
Jesus takes this Old Testament warning about physical attraction and expands it to the internal thought life, showing that lust itself is a violation of God's heart.
2 Kings 9:30This passage describes Jezebel 'painting her eyes' in preparation for receiving Jehu, directly illustrating the 'eyelids' mentioned in Proverbs as a tool of seduction.
Song of Solomon 4:9While Proverbs warns against deceptive beauty, the Song of Solomon celebrates the beloved's captivating 'eyes,' showing how beauty can be used for pure affection or for dangerous temptation.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse echoes Proverbs' warning against desiring what is not ours, identifying the 'love of money' as a root of evil, similar to how improper desire for another person leads to destruction.
clarkeProverbs 6:25: "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."
Neither let her take thee with her eye-lids - It is a very general custom in the East to paint the eye-lids. I have many Asiatic drawings in which this is expressed. They have a method of polishing the eyes with a preparation of antimony, so that they appear with an indescribable lustre; or, as one who mentions the fact from observation, "Their eyes appear to be swimming in bliss."
pooleProverbs 6:25: "Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids."
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; do not give way to, nor delight thyself with, unchaste thoughts or affections. Compare Matthew 5:28 . With her eyelids; either with her beauty, which consists much in the eyes; or rather, with her amours and wanton glances.
The verse highlights that attraction isn't just about looking, but about what happens in your heart and how you're "taken captive" by the subtle, alluring glances, like those enhanced by ancient eye-painting. It's a warning that even a seemingly small internal desire or a fleeting look can be the start of a dangerous snare.
This passage is part of a longer section where Solomon implores his son to heed his teachings and avoid the destructive path of immorality. The immediate context warns against the seductive allure of a "strange woman" (or an immoral woman), detailing her deceptive speech and cunning ways. Following these dire warnings, the text pivots to more specific instructions on resisting temptation, including this verse that addresses the internal and external snares of sexual temptation.
This passage is part of a longer section where Solomon implores his son to heed his teachings and avoid the destructive path of immorality. The immediate context warns against the seductive allure of a "strange woman" (or an immoral woman), detailing her deceptive speech and cunning ways. Following these dire warnings, the text pivots to more specific instructions on resisting temptation, including this verse that addresses the internal and external snares of sexual temptation.
"Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. Can a man carry fire next to…" — The verse highlights that attraction isn't just about looking, but about what happens in your heart and how you're "taken captive" by the subtle, alluring glances, like those enhanced by ancient ey…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
